over night stop

[whiskey_pete]

I'm new to life in a fifth wheel. I have a new Columbus 320rs and will be taking a trip out west from Texas. I was wondering if you have to unhook for an over night stop. Also, is it ok to use my slide outs without unhooking. We've ben camping since the late 80's, but this is my first 5th wheel. Thanks for your help.

[Justaguy]

From Lippert's manuel;
PRIOR TO OPERATION

Prior to operating the
Lippert Above Floor Slideout System,follow these four (4) guidelines:
1. Coach should be parked on the most level surface available.

2. Leveling or stabilizing system should be actuated to ensure coach will not move during operation of Slideout System.

3. Be sure battery is fully charged.

4. Be sure to keep all persons and pets clear of Slideout System during operation.

[broark01]

Since we are not retired, we generally push ourselves to tow 700-800 miles a day. Last thing I want to do at the end of the day, is find a hidden campground with their weirdly laid out roads and camp sites then put the slides out. We hit the rest area, climb inside and crash with no slides out. Get up and repeat. That is why we chose the floor plan we did with fridge, micro, sink, bathroom and bed all accessible with the slides in.

[laknox]

heaterswa wrote:
When parking at a Walmart or other location and spending time away from your rig, please check your hitch to make sure nobody pulled the handle. I do not know anyone that this has ever happened to but regardless I check mine on return.

-Bryan

Or simply put a lock on the handle...

Lyle

[Wishbone51]

Cummins12V98 wrote:

Old-Biscuit wrote:
I never have done any wallydocking/asphalt camping like others are talking about.
Always overnighted in a CG en-route.

And YES I am a bit anal about fridge being reasonably level....see it only takes 20 minutes of off level operation to cause a disruption in the gravity flow of fridge coolant and in doing so the sodium chromate can crystallize/plate out/start clogging of cooling unit...DEAD!

I am curious, do you turn off your frig when traveling?

In the Norcold and Dometic manuals, they state that there is no issue being off-level while driving, because of the sloshing of the coolant.

[austinjenna]

In a fifth wheel, no power you would have to put out your slides and run your generator, causing disruptions and a feeling by the general public that US RV"rs are snobs. This results in communities banning any RV from parking within its boundaries.

I would think that its more the campground owners that push for this type of ban as they feel they are loosing money rather than the public. But that's just my opinion

[Coach-man]

OK, did I miss something here? The OP asked about one night stops enroute to his destination, he said nothing about WallyWorld Flourbarrel on anything else! We often stop at CG, with a pull thru, and have never used anything but Camp Grounds. In a fifth wheel, no power you would have to put out your slides and run your generator, causing disruptions and a feeling by the general public that US RV"rs are snobs. This results in communities banning any RV from parking within its boundaries. Sometimes I would like to be able to stop and pick up supplies or a bite to eat. Just MHO!

[Cummins12V98]

Old-Biscuit wrote:
I never have done any wallydocking/asphalt camping like others are talking about.
Always overnighted in a CG en-route.

And YES I am a bit anal about fridge being reasonably level....see it only takes 20 minutes of off level operation to cause a disruption in the gravity flow of fridge coolant and in doing so the sodium chromate can crystallize/plate out/start clogging of cooling unit...DEAD!

I am curious, do you turn off your frig when traveling?

[jffnkrn]

heaterswa wrote:
When parking at a Walmart or other location and spending time away from your rig, please check your hitch to make sure nobody pulled the handle. I do not know anyone that this has ever happened to but regardless I check mine on return.

-Bryan

i keep a pad-lock in mine all the time. the only time it is unlocked is when hitching or un-hitching. Good Luck & Be Safe ! ! !

[heaterswa]

When parking at a Walmart or other location and spending time away from your rig, please check your hitch to make sure nobody pulled the handle. I do not know anyone that this has ever happened to but regardless I check mine on return.

-Bryan

[whiskey_pete]

I want to thank all of ya'll for the help, being a new member of the 5th wheel club, it was great appreciated. We have left on our big adventure and are having a ball. Headed towards high desert of cali then back to vegas, then meandering back to southeast texas. Thanks again.

[silvercorvette]

There are many times when I sleep a rest sops where it is difficult to unhook. If I am at a rest stop and pulled out my slides I would probably tick off trucks. If I am at a camp ground for an overnight stay I pull out the slides but and hook up water and power but leave the truck hooked up to make it easier to drive off the next morning. I have 125 gallon fuel capacity with a range of over 1,000 miles soI can pick and choose where I do my fill ups. Most if not all fuel stops are at truck stops that accommodate large commercial rigs. The nice thing about 5th wheels is that they are easy to hook back up if you need to unhook

[RollandB]

On a recent 3000 mile trip, on those stops we were just there for one night and leaving early the next day we never unhooked from the truck. Leveled it pretty close, hooked up the power and water, then headed to the recliner. Best part is in the morning it's a snap when getting ready to take off.

[jdb7566]

Ivylog wrote:
No need to unhook
Yes on putting the slides out.

X2

[dapperdan]

We do NOT unhook, but I do run the front landing gear down just to take a little weight off the truck. We try to find the most "level" spot but with in where we're told we can park. Yes, we ALWAYS ask first then park. We do run the slides out, again with permission.

Dan